Flood begins to recede in Alma

By LINDA GITTLEMAN/@lindagittleman and MARK RANZENBERGER/@ranzenberger

Friday, April 19, 2013

Mid-Michigan’s flooded Pine River was beginning to recede Friday afternoon and was expected to fall below flood stage by late Sunday night, according to forecasters.

Alma dodged a bullet as the rain predicted for the area veered more to the south.

“We’re holding our own,” said Alma Police Deputy Chief Matt Schooley. People evacuated from their homes were being allowed to return.

The Superior Street Bridge did not have to be closed – although it was very close, Schooley said. Firefighters and police were stationed in various parts of the city just in case.

Two other bridges – Woodworth and State Street – remained closed, along with some streets near the river, including Riverside, Ely, State and Woodworth, River, Downie and Walnut.

“We lost some power (Friday), but Consumers Energy got it back on,” Schooley said. “The river is 9.7 feet and it’s stayed there since 8:30 a.m. We’re still looking at runoffs.”

The Pine River level had been recorded at 10.15 feet on Thursday. That’s the fourth-highest crest on record, below peak water levels recorded in 1938, 1948 and 1986. The Great Flood of 1986 was more than 2 feet higher than this one. Flood stage at Alma is 8 feet.

Elsewhere, the Chippewa River at Mt. Pleasant was expected to crest at 10.9 feet Saturday morning. Flood stage is 8 feet.

Low-lying areas close to the river in Mt. Pleasant, including most of Island Park and other city parks, were under water. Parks remained officially closed.

Downstream, the Tittabawassee at Midland continued to rise and forecasters were expecting major flooding. Midland County authorities declared a state of emergency with the river expected to crest Saturday night at 28.5 feet. Flood stage is 24 feet.

Northwood University remained closed. Harlow Drive leading to MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland also was closed.

In northern Midland County, a 12-foot breach was repaired at the Kawkawlin Dam.

Emergency management coordinator Roger Garner said firefighters and officers from the Department of Natural Resources closed it Friday. Garner says “everything looks good” but authorities will continue to monitor the dam in Mills Township.

The earthen dam is at the south end of a large body of water used for recreation. It’s on state-owned property in a rural area in northeastern Midland County.

Garner says no homes were in danger. The waterway isn’t connected to the Tittabawassee River system.

In western Michigan, people are being urged to stay away from the Grand River and other waterways in Kent County due to extreme flooding.

The Grand River runs through downtown Grand Rapids. Officials say water will not recede below flood stage until next week.

High winds raked the area Friday, with gusts recorded at Mt. Pleasant greater than 40 mph. There were no immediate reports of damage.

Schooley said he was surprised to see so many people out in Alma on Thursday, comparing it to the downtown Christmas celebration. Four vehicles stranded on flooded and barricaded roads had to be pulled out.

Police calls during the night were fewer than normal, but those calls concerned children and adults too close to the river and its very fast moving current.

Schooley said the city’s emergency plan was put into service and it proved satisfactory. He also noted the extensive cooperation provided by Gratiot’s Emergency Management, sheriff and State Police.

The wastewater treatment plant is also working at capacity and holding its own.

Downtown business suffered some water damage but it wasn’t “real significant,” he said.